First 2013 Dairy Awards Winners

In less than
a week the first regional winners in the 2013 New Zealand
Dairy Industry Awards will be announced, opening new
opportunities and career prospects.

National
convenor Chris Keeping says it is an exciting time when the
winners of the 12 regional competitions become known and a
new group of passionate and enthusiastic dairy farmers step
forward.

“We had more than 550 entries this year,
so our judges are working extremely hard to identify those
sharemilkers, equity farmers, farm managers, contract
milkers and trainees doing the best with the resources and
farm they have available to them. The awards are not about
being perfect, they are about making progress.”

Mrs Keeping says the regional winners of the
Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the
Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions will all
progress to the national final and the opportunity for
further recognition and prizes. In 2013 the national final
is being held in Wellington on May 24.

The first
regional winners will be known on March 2, when Northland
holds its awards dinner. Those entered in the West Coast/Top
of the South region have the longest wait, with their
winners announced on April 11.

The 2001 New
Zealand Sharemilker of the Year and two-time National judge,
Dave Davis, says the awards provide opportunities to learn,
to present, to meet people and to gain recognition.

Mr Davis encourages all entrants to try again if they
are not successful. “Take it as a positive as entering
keeps you on track with a lot of things. I would also like
to think people try again as it’s not just about winning
and you don’t always get what you want straight away. It
probably makes you stronger in the end.”

Mr Davis,
and wife Julie, entered five times before they were
successful in Waikato and in the New Zealand final.

Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz for information on
tickets to the regional awards dinners and to learn more
about the winners as they are announced.

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